Toddler whining effecting my newborn?

Question

Hi! I am a proud mommy of a 22 month old daughter and 6 week old son. My toddler has started the whining phase...I am concerned my son will in some way, maybe even subconsciously, be effected by my daughters crying/whining. Does anyone know? Thanks so much!

Answer 1

You fine on this one. I have a 1 year old boy that is as calm and mellow and cheerful as can be. Than I have a dramatic 8 year old. When my daughter stubs her toe, for example, for the 3'rd time that day... she screams like someone just stabbed her and she is being tortured. If she looks down and sees blood.... OMG... the noises that child makes. She is a great, respectful kid... but she is dramatic. My one year old just looks at her. He is not upset or saddened. Like me, he is used to her laughter, goofiness, and drama. It is all part of the wonderful package of who my daughter is.  My one year old accepts this and is not phased out by it at all. Babies and kids are very easy going. They think that everything around them is normal. They do not yet have judgments for things like 'good' or 'bad' or any such thing. To babies it is about hungry and not hungry. Cold and warm. And they dont' even have word concepts for that yet. Trust me... your 6 week old is just absorbing everything around him or her right now... no judgments at all. It is fine.

Answer 2

I don't know if it will affect the baby. My daughter was about the same age when my son was born last year...and she did the same thing. It's just a reaction they are having b/c they know that they aren't the baby anymore. You can always try letting your daughter help as much as possible so she doesn't feel threatened by the baby...let her get a diaper for you, or grab the pacifier, or bring whatever other little things you may need.

Answer 3

keep the 22 month old away from the newborn

Answer 4

Oh for heavens sake! Don't WORRY about it. This is called LIFE...and you will all be just fine! Good luck and God bless!

Answer 5

make sure he is not near the little one

Answer 6

I have 5 kids and #3 and #4 are only 13 months apart.  #3 was sick a lot and as a result whined a lot because he couldn't talk yet....it didn't affect my #4.  Also, I worked in daycare for years in the baby rooms.  Our toddler would come with us at the end of the day and of course by then they're tired and want mommy so they're whiny...never affected any of them.  Newborns aren't affected by much of anything as long as their being loved and well taken care of.